Licence - Deal in Game

Description

 

A licence is required to take or kill game and to deal in game.

Game is defined as hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game, black game, woodcock, snipe, coney or deer.

Game licence legislation dates back to the nineteenth century. Both the Game Act 1831 which applies to England and Wales only, and the Fame Licences Act 1860, which applies also to Scotland, deal with similar offences concerning the taking and trading in game without the appropriate licence.

This page provides only a brief overview of licensing requirements and we recommend that you consult the legislation (which can be obtained from Her Majesty's Stationary Office - please see associated link to the Office for Public Sector Information on the right hand side) or seek advice if you need to know the law in more detail.

 

Eligibility

 

Anyone dealing in, or intending to deal in, game

 

Procedure

 

Licences to kill or take game

There are four types of game licence, each catering for different periods of the year, taking into account the open seasons for various game birds. They are colour coded and can be purchased from Post Offices. The date and time of issue will be shown on the licence, which will only be valid from that particular time. The licence will, however, expire at midnight on the day on which it is stated to expire. The holder's full name and address and the amount of duty paid must also be shown on the licence.

Not all licences are readily available from stock and there may be a delay in issue, particularly in respect of the occasional licence.

Colour	Duration	Purpose
Red	Taken out after 31 July and expiry 31 July following year	Covers all open seasons for game birds and shooting of hares where not exempt
Green	Taken out after 31 July and expiry 31 October same year	Popular for grouse shooters
Blue	Taken out after 31 October and expiry 31 July following year	Popular for pheasant shooters
Black	Occasional licence for any continuous period of 14 days	Popular where game is perhaps shot only once during the year

Gamekeeper's Licence

A gamekeeper's employer may obtain an annual gamekeeper's licence (at a lower cost than the normal twelve month licence). This permits the gamekeeper to take or kill game on land where their employer has the right to game. The licence is transferable should a new gamekeeper be employed while it is still valid, and only covers a person while they are employed as a gamekeeper.

If a gamekeeper wishes to shoot game on land where his/her employer does not have right to game, then he/she must obtain a licence in their own name.

Licenses to deal in game

The Game Act 1831 required dealers to be licensed in England; the Fame Licences Act 1860 extends the provisions relating to the sale of game to Wales and Scotland. The sale of venison is covered by separate legislation under the Deer Act 1991 (England and Wales) and the Deer (Scotland) Act 1959.

Two licences are required to trade in certain game species. A council licence and an excise licence.

Council licenses are obtained from Barnsley Council Trading Standards. There is a small charge for this licence. You will need to obtain this licence before an excise licence can be issued.

Excise licenses can be obtained from either the Post Office, or Barnsley Trading Standards. There is a small charge for this licence. It is a condition of issue that a Council licence be provided at the time of application.

Copies of the Game Act 1831 and Game Licences Act 1860 can be purchased from Her Majesty's Stationery Office (see associated link on the right hand side to Office for Public Sector Information)

 

Helplines

 

Regulatory Service, Trading Standards Team: 01226 772532 e-mail: tradingstandards@barnsley.gov.uk

 

Charges/Fees

 

Charges for Council Licenses are reviewed annually. Currently the cost is ã13.00

Excise licenses cost ã4.00. Please note it is a condition of issue that a council licence is produced at the time of application.

 

Methods of Payment Available

 

Cash or cheque

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the Customer Can Help

 

Please ensure you obtain a Council licence, before applying for an Excise licence

 

Application Form References

 

Application for a Gamekeeper's Licence

 

Distribution Points

 

Application forms are available from our office (please see Opening times/locations)

 

Legislation

 

• The Game Act 1831
• The Game Licence Act 1860
• The Deer Act 1991 (England and Wales)
• The Deer (Scotland) Act 1959

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

We aim to provide an initial response to enquiries within 3 working days.

We aim to process licence applications within 7 working days of receipt of a fully completed application form and payment.

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Head of Community Protection and Licensing (see opening times/locations and helplines for contact information)

 

Related Links:

• Office for Public Sector Information

Last modified on 15/9/2008